Moving message projector



United States MOVING MESSAGE PROJECTOR William R. Westfall, Forest Hills, N. Y.; Marie 5. Westfall, executrix of said William R. Westfall, deceased Application November 5, 1953, Serial N 390,337 3 (CI- 40-32) This nvention relates to an improved device for projecting a moving and animated message on a screen.

Devices of this general character have been known in the art, but all have been subject to serious defects rendering them unsalable. Inasmuch as the tape from which the message is transmitted is relatively short, the message itself is necessarily short, and as a consequnce, and because it may otherwise be desirable to vary the messages, frequent changes of tapes are made. One of the difficulties of the prior art was that the messages to be projected were not easily interchangeable without damage to the tape or to the device. Further, the prior devices could not be depended upon to give trouble-free unattended performance for the long periods of time during which they must be operated. Another difiiculty was that although an animated effect in the message was desirable, it could not be obtained without complex apparatus of relatively high cost and maintenance.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a low cost device of simple operation for projecting a legible moving message across a screen, which device can be operated for long periods of time with little or no maintenance. Another object is to provide such a device in which the message may be projected on a plurality of screens.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a device relatively inexpensive to manufacture and easily operated in which the projected message takes on an animated yet legible appearance.

Another object is to provide such a device in which the messages may be simply and quickly interchanged by one unfamiliar with the device without damage to the device or to the messages.

A still further object of the invention is to provide such a device in which the message may be read from almost any a e- Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of the devicewith the cover removed;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the device, having one end broken away to show the interior;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view of the device show.- ing the driving means and the tensioning means;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the tensioning spool taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of an alternate form of the device with the cover removed;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the screen, tape and light source.

One form of this device will now be described, but it should be understood that variations may be made therein without departing from the scope of my invention. Referring particularly to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, reference numeral 10; refers to a casing, preferably constpucted of sheet metal. Casing 10 is comprised of a rectangular base 11, vertical side panels 12 and 13 and vertical rearpanel 14.

The front edges of side panels 1.2 and 13 and base 11 t ice are lipped inwardly at 12a, 13a and 11a, said lips being joined together to form frame 15.

Angle members 16 are joined to the inside surface of side panels 12 and 13 adjacent lips 12a and 13a to form vertical channels 17 therebetween. A third channel may be provided by a third angle member joined to the inside surface of said base 11 adjacent lip 11a. A cover 13 is securely but removably mounted by the upper ends of panels 12, 13 and 14 and lips 12a and 13a.

Front panel 19 is about the same height as panels 12, 13 and 14 and is horizontally dimensioned to be slidably mounted in the channel formed by lips 12a, 13a and angle members 16 to thereby form a fourth vertical panel or screen panel of casing 10. Panel 19, as shown, is made of solid translucent glass, but a fire resistant thermosetting plastic material, or sheet metal may be used. One side 1% of panel 19 is smooth and the other side 1% is covered by an agglomerate formation of beaded protuberances 2t abutting one another in irregular design (Figs. 1 and 6). Panel 19 is inserted in channels 17 in such a manner that the smooth side 19a is on the inside of casing 10. All of surface 19a is opaqued, such as by painting, except a centrally located rectangular portion 21 which is the projection screen of the device.

The casing 10 may be made with an integral front portion when the casing is made of sheet metal. In such case, an opening dimensioned similarly to screen 21 may be provided, and a translucent screen plate may be removably mounted therein, for example it may be dimensioned to be slidably inserted in channels. The plate screen is constructed similarly to plate 19 in that one side thereof is smooth and the other side is covered by an agglomerate formation of beaded protuberances, similar to beads 20, abutting one another in irregular design, the plate screen being inserted in its channels in a manner that the smooth side thereof is on the inside of casing 10.

Platform 22, corresponding in dimensions to base 11 and preferably made of sheet metal in inverted U-shape is attached to base 11. i

A source of continuous light emanating from inside casing 10 towards and through screen 21 is provided by fluorescent lamp 23, removably engaged in lamp sockets 24 mounted by platform 22. A suitable ballast 25 and starter 26 for lamp 23 are also secured to platform 22. Lamp 23 is preferably of a diameter and length approximately equal to the vertical and horizontal dimensions respectively of screen 21 and is disposed horizontally op posite projection screen 21. Lamp 23 may be white or in any color desired. It has been found that when lamp 23 is painted with a variety of colors, an unusual effect is created in the message projected. a

The message to be projected is placed on an endless tape 27 of flexible, opaque, fire-resistant, relatively nonelastic material, by perforations 28 therein arranged in the form of letters and words. Polyvinyl chloride film has been found to be an excellent material of the tape.

The message or wording appearing on tape 27 is projected on screen 21 by passing tape 27' between lamp 23 and screen 21, the light only passing through the perforated portions of said tape. Pulleys, or spools 29-34 are mounted by platform 22, all of said spools being of similar construction. Spools 29 and 30, located at either end of sockets 24 should be of a diameter greater than the diameter of lamp 23. Driver roller 35, also mounted by platform 22, is displaced relative, to spools 29 to' 34 to provide straight-line passage of tape 27 under-tension when tape 27 is wound about portions of the peripheries of spools 29 to 34 and roller35 in such a manner that said tape will pass between lamp 23 and panel 19, i. e. from spool 29 to spool 30, thence to spool 3-1, roller 35, spool 32, spool 33 and spool 34.

Inasmuch as spools 29 to 34am of basically similar con struction, adescription of one. spool will suffice for all. It should be noted, however, that all of said spools except spool 32 are rotatably fitted on spindles mounted directly by platform 22. Figure 4 is a vertical section ofspool 32 which is adapted to be removably and rotatably fitted on spindle 40. All of the other spools are of similar con struction but their respective spindles corresponding to spindle are vertically mounted on and through platform 22, the lower ends of said spindles having threaded portions, and a pair of nuts being threaded thereon in such a manner that one nut will exert force against the upper surface of, platform 22 and the other nut will exert force against the lower surface of platform 22. This construction is generally shown in the broken section of Figure 2.

Reverting to Figure 4, spindle 40 is fixedly mounted by one end of lever arm 42, the lower end of spindle 4% being threaded, and the upper and lower nuts 40a and 44)!) securing said spindle in place. Spool 32 is comprised of two cylindrical concentric shells, inner shell 45 being about one-half the vertical dimension of outer shell 46, and said shells are joined by horizontal web 47 of similar material. Shells 45 and 46 and web 47 may be formed in any suitable manner but they preferably should be made of a heat resistant material such as nylon. Cylindrical oilite bearings 48 and 49 may be mounted by the inner surface of shell 45 adjacent the ends thereof, said bearings being dimensioned to permit spool 32 to be slidably fitted on spindle 40, or inner shell 45 may have inner flanges functioning as bearings (not shown).

Spindle 40 has a cylindrical opening 50 formed in its upper end. Fastener 51, comprised of head 51a of a diameter larger than the diameter of spindle 40 and compressible shank 51b of a diameter normally greater than the diameter opening 50, is forcibly inserted in said opening. I

The height of inner shell 45 should also be slightly less than the height of spindle 40 from platform 22 in order that head 51:: will not interfere with the free rotation of spool 32 thereabout.

Spool 31 is rotatably mounted by spindle 41 which is secured to platform 22 as above described, the lower end of said spindle projecting through platform 22. Lever arm 42 is pivotally connected to the lower end of spindle 41 and spring 43 is attached to the other end of arm 42, the other end of said spring being anchored to casing 10. In operation, the force of spring 43 will cause spindle 40 and spool 32 to be moved arcuately in a clockwise direction by the action of lever arm 42. To permit this rotation, an arcuate channel 44 is provided in platform 22,

spindle 49 passing therethrough to be secured to arm 42.

When tape 27 is to be replaced, spool 32 may be moved in a counterclockwise direction to eliminate tension on said tape during such removal and replacement. Further, the continuous force of spring 43 will cause spool 32 to exert continuous pressure against the tape passing about a portion of its periphery, thereby creating tension in the entire tape.

Roller 35 comprises a shaft 35a having a rubber covering 35b over the upper portion thereof, the lower end of said shaft being journalled by annular bearings secured to platform 22, an opening in said platform being pro vided for the purpose.

Motive power is supplied by a small motor, indicated generally at 36, secured by posts 36b to platform 22. Shaft 36a of motor 36 passes through platform 22 and pulley 37 is secured to the lower endithereof. Pulley 38 is mounted by the lower end of shaft 35a of roller 35 and belt 39 is trained about pulleys 37 and 38, whereby power from motor 36 drives roller 35. The rubber covering 35b on said roller provides frictional engagement with tape 27 when tension is exerted-on said tape by spool 32. Means may be provided to adjust thedistance between pulleys 37 and 38 to thereby increase or decrease tension on belt 39. A conventional arrangement of slots and set screws for such purpose is shown in Figure 3.

This particular construction of the spool possesses certain definite advantages over the spools of the prior art. In the first place, inasmuch as it is desirable that tape 27 travel in a continuous horizontal plane, it is necessary to prevent tape 27 from riding up on the spools around which it passes. Tape 27, being of flexible and relatively non-elastic material, is subject to considerable wear and tear by flanged rims and other similarguides used to prevent the tapes from riding out of their predetermined course. The spool of my invention restricts: the travel of the tape to a relatively continuous horizontal plane, but avoids the disadvantages of flanges andguides by theprovision of a crowned peripheral surface on the spool. I have found that the crown angle mayvary from about 0.75 to 1.75 in order that tape 27 will be compelled to stay in substantially the same horizontal position during its travel, yet such an angle will not distort tape 27 'atits central portion where the perforations haveibeen made. i

The perforations 28, being centrally disposed intape 27, create a weakened central portion. When the crown angle exceeds 1.75 I have found that the tape will travel in a substantially horizontal plane, but'the central portion of the tape becomes stretched or bellied by reason of the fact that continuous tension is exerted on said tape as previously described, thus creating distortions in the message appearing on screen 21. An angle less than 0.75, although not creating a distorted message, will not maintainthe travel of said tape on a substantially horizontal plane. I have further found that the best performance is obtained when the crown angle is about 1.0, this being the point of maximum control of vertical travel of said tape and minimum distortion thereof.

Further, it has been found that in changing tapes, and in the general maintenance of spools having relatively long spindles, the spindles are very often bent or twisted in such a fashion that they cause distortions in the travel of the tape. Inasmuch as devices of this character are normally sold to people unskilled in the art, it is desirable to provide a spool which will withstand the rigors of harsh handling and yet maintain its necessary performance. This has been accomplished by the provision of a relatively short spindle about which the spool rotates, on the general principle that the shorter the spindle, the less the distortion if the spool should be displaced. A second structural improvement is fastener 51, the shank 51b of which exerts sufficient force against the walls of opening 50 to resist removal therefrom, thus making it most difficult for the spool to be removed or replaced; Further, inasmuch as fastener 51 is located relatively deep inside outer shell 46, fastener 51 is not readily removed and replaced without the proper tools. This construction discourages tampering with the spools by persons having little knowledge of their principles of operation and thereby minimizes distortions in the spindles about which they rotate, thus materially contributing to the performance of the device.

There has thus been provided a device in which an' endless tape 27 is passed, by a series of spools and a roller, between lamp 23 and screen 21 in a direction from right to left, tension being exerted on said tape during its travel. The message to be projected on screen 21' is placed on the tape by perforations 28 therein arranged in the form ofletters, at least two of said perforations being used for each horizontal or vertical line of each letter. Perforations 28 are circular in shape, and are of a diameter about the same or slightly less than the diameter of protuberances 20, as may be more clearly seen in Figures-2 and 6. Inasmuch as protuberances 20 are formed onsurface 19b in an agglomerate formation with no regularity thereabout, an unusual effect is created by light passingthi'ough perforations 28 and being projected on screen 21. As shown in Figure 6, light comes from the source 23 and .passes through a single perforation as the tape is driven from right to left, said stream of light being normally projected through at least two of said protuberances, and

possibly more. The effect to be gained thereby on screen 21 is a dancing stream of light having both horizontal and vertical movement in accordance with the contour over which the light passes. As this effect is created by a single perforation, a number of perforations arranged in the form of letters gives the effect of letters dancing about the screen while passing from right to left. This dancing effect is sufiicient to be eye-catching, a most important advantage when the device is utilized for advertising purposes, but it is not enough to impair the visibility and legibility of the letters and words as they appear on screen 21.

In order that there may be maximum clarity of said animated letters on screen 21, I have found that spools 29 and 30 should be so disposed that the portion of tape 27 passing therebetween will be spaced from screen 21 a distance not substantially greater than inch, and preferably equidistant from said screen and light source 23, although the position of said light source will be largely governed by the disposition of the other elements mounted in casing 10.

This device is intended to be used in a variety of places and in a variety of positions, and it has been found especially useful when placed at relatively great heights, such as second floor display windows. In such cases it is necessary that the message may be read from below at extreme angles. In order that extremely angular viewing may be had, the vertical dimension of the letters formed by perforations 28 is somewhat less than the vertical height of screen 21.

There has thus been described a complete moving message projector adapted to project a moving message on a single screen. This device is inexpensive to manufacture, is compact, sturdy, and will give relatively continuous performance for long periods of time completely unattended by the owner thereof. In this device, messages to be projected may be quickly and easily changed without damage to the tape carrying the message or to the spools about which the tape runs. The appearance of the message will at all times be essentially the same, the letters traveling on a substantially horizontal line, but giving off a dancing appearance by the vertical and horizontal movement of the points of light of which the letters are composed.

Another and larger form of this device is shown in Figure 5 in which the same message may be projected on two oppositely disposed screens. This device is constructed similarly to the projector of Figure 1, except that casing 53 is slightly larger than casing 10, a second screen panel 54 similar to panel 19 is substituted for rear panel 14 of Figure l and a second source of light 55 is mounted by platform 22 adjacent said second screen panel 54. The second source of light 55 may be a second fluorescent lamp or a tubular incandescent lamp not requiring a starter and ballast. This form of device is particularly useful when it may be placed in positions where both screens are visible, such as the top of centrally located shelving, etc., but inasmuch as such locations may not always be available and inasmuch as the owner may desire to operate only one screen at a time, separate switches may be provided for each lamp. As presently shown in Figures 1 and 5, both forms of the device have a single source of electrical current 56 coming into casing and casing 53, and a single switch 57 for controlling the lamp or lamps and motor.

Two forms of my invention have been described, one in which a moving message is projected on a single screen and one in which the message is projected on two screens, but in both of which the letters and wording of the message take on an animated appearance by such projection. It must be understood, however, that it is not intended that the scope of this invention be limited thereby, but only by the following claims.

I claim: 1. A moving message projector comprising a casing having at least one window, a translucent screen mounted in each window, a source of light within said casing, an endless opaque tape, perforations in said tape arranged in the form of letters and words, a driver roller mounted by said casing, a motor drivably connected therewith, a plurality of spindles mounted by said casing anda plurality of spools mounted by said spindles for rotation about their own axes, said spindles extending into said spools a distance of about one-half the height of said spools the peripheral surface of said spools having a crown of from 0.75 to 1.75 and means for removably locking said spools on said spindles, said means comprising a press fit fastener adapted for insertion in the top of said spindles, said tape being wound about portions of the peripheries of said roller and said spools and thereby driven between said light source and said screen.

2. A moving message projector comprising a casing having at least one window, a translucent screen mounted in such window, a source of light within said casing, an endless opaque tape, perforations in said tape arranged in the form of letters and words, a driver roller mounted by said casing, a motor drivably connected therewith, and a plurality of spools mounted by said casing for rotation about their own axes, each of said spools having a central portion depressed to a point midway of the height of said spools, and means associated with each of said spools for removably locking said spools on said casing, each of the latter said means comprising a press fit fastener located relatively deep inside the outer shell of the respective of said spools at the depressed central portion, said tape being wound about portions of the peripheries of said roller and said spools and thereby driven between said light source and said screen, the peripheral surfaces of said spools having a crown sufiicient to maintain said tape in its travel in substantial horizontal alignment with respect to said screen.

3. In a moving message projector comprised of a casing having at least one window, a translucent screen mounted in each window, a source of light within said casing, and an endless opaque tape having perforations therein arranged in the form of letters and words, means for driving said tape between said light source and said screen, said means comprising a roller, a motor drivably connected therewith, a plurality of spools mounted by spindles for rotation about their own axes, said spools having a central portion depressed to a point midway of the height of said spool and the peripheral surface of said spools having a crown of from 0.75 to 1.75", and means for removably locking said spools on said spindles, each of the latter said means comprising a press fit fastener located relatively deep inside the outer shell of the respective of said spools at the said depressed central portion, said tape being wound about portions of the peripheries of said roller and said spools and thereby driven on a substantially horizontal plane between said light source and said screen.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 169,573 Parr Nov. 2, 1875 1,149,317 Ahlstrom Aug. 10, 1915 1,402,075 Kolk Jan. 3, 1922 1,457,669 Odle et al. June 5, 1923 1,579,597 Craig Apr. 6, 1926 1,602,294 William Oct. 5, 1926 2,099,243 Taaffe Nov. 16, 1937 2,327,270 Johnson Aug. 17, 1943 2,346,699 OGorman Apr. 18, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS 371,138 Italy May 12, 1939 379,054 Great Britain Aug. 25, 1932 484,302 Germany June 13, 1930 601,184 France Nov. 26, 1925 727,619 France Mar. 29, 1932 

